The Shadow Workforce

This book provides an overview of the facts and issues of nonstandard employment in the countries where this labor market phenomenon has been most studied: the United States, Japan, and the European Union

The Global Informal Workforce is a fresh look at the informal economy around the world and its impact on the macroeconomy. The book covers interactions between the informal economy, labor and product markets, gender equality, fiscal institutions and outcomes, social protection, and financial inclusion. Informality is a widespread and persistent phenomenon that affects how fast economies can grow, develop, and provide decent economic opportunities for their populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped to uncover the vulnerabilities of the informal workforce.

In the dynamic model of today's workforce, marked by technological upheavals, changing consumer preferences, and global economic shifts, a pressing challenge looms large – the imperative for continuous adaptation through reskilling. As the demand for specialized skills intensifies with technological advancements and the nature of work undergoes profound transformations, individuals, employers, and societies grapple with the need to stay competitive. The book Reskilling the Workforce in the Labor Market: The Country Cases emerges as a beacon of solutions in this complex terrain, addressing the critical facets of reskilling that are pivotal for thriving in the future job market. The workforce is confronted with multifaceted challenges, ranging from the disruptive impact of automation to the complexity of evolving job roles in a service-oriented economy. Individuals face the risk of being left behind if they do not acquire the necessary skills and education, while employers contend with productivity gaps and high turnover due to a mismatch between job demands and employee capabilities. Moreover, societal issues such as skill gaps and rising unemployment call for a concerted effort to establish a culture of lifelong learning. The high cost and limited availability of training programs, along with time constraints and resistance to change, further compound the challenges individuals and organizations face in navigating this reskilling imperative.